Texas teen Myles Turner was happy to talk about a lot of things: his fundamental approach to basketball, the college recruiting process, even his feet. (Oh, we’ll get to that). But when asked about a figure from relatively ancient basketball history, the 1970s, he admitted he doesn’t know a lot about Jack Sikma.

So, indeed, Turner was only too happy to talk about Sikma, as well, if only he’d had much to add to the conversation. In a sense, though, he does. Because if you have a memory of Sikma as a player, or if you’ve been told about him by your elders, you might be interested to know Turner bears perhaps the greatest resemblance to him of anyone who’s played the center spot since.

Sikma is practically a brand name for a sort of playing style at the position. His trademark even is called “the Sikma move,” a pivot from a back-to-the-basket position and then a step-back into a jump shot.

At 7-0, 240 pounds, Turner has echoes of Sikma throughout his game: the shooting ability from all around the court, the high release, even a hint of that pivot into a turnaround jumper. Ranked the No. 5 prospect in the 2014 recruiting class by Scout.com, Turner in many ways is an improvement on the original.

Sikma did his job well enough defensively for the Seattle Sonics to win the NBA title in 1979, but he never was much of a shot-blocker. Turner is an electric presence around the rim, throwing back shots with the kind of timing that figures to make him worth in the neighborhood of three per game at the college level.

As Sikma developed, there was no 3-point shot in high school or college, so there was no real logic for him to take his game that far from the goal until late in his career, when he made 82 and shot 38 percent from long distance in 1988-89. Turner is an exceptional deep shooter and will be a threat from the 3-point line upon entering school.

Only a few months ago, Turner was essentially unknown as a prospect, not even ranked in most analysts’ top 100. He has been delighted by the sort of ascent last seen when Carly Rae Jepsen released “Call Me Maybe.” From nowhere to superstar.

Now Kansas and coach Bill Self want Turner, and he has committed to make an official visit at Midnight Madness. “I like what I see, have a good relationship with Coach.”

Kentucky’s John Calipari wants him and would love for him and Dallas-area point guard Emmanuel Mudiay to become a Texas tandem in the UK recruiting class. Turner cut down his wish list to eight Wednesday night, according to ESPN.com, with the finalists being, in no particular order, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Arizona, Ohio State, Texas and Oklahoma State .

“I’m doing my research and trying to find the best fit,” Turner said.

Turner was raised to play in the frontcourt, although he only grew to true center size in his ninth-grade year. He has been well-coached in the game and owns a full arsenal of offensive skills that includes a jump-hook in the post that makes great use of his length, excellent balance and hand-eye coordination that allow him to score on duck-unders from even eight or 10 feet, and of course his terrific face-up shooting.

He gives the credit to his father, David, a New York native who learned the game on the city’s playgrounds.

“He learned how to be a fundamental player with the mix of a little bit of street ball, a little bit of toughness,” Turner said. “From a young age he taught me to the basic moves: basic drop-step, basic pull-up jumpers, stuff like that. I’ve always had a jump-hook. I haven’t been using it as much lately. I’ve really been pushed out, but that’s definitely a weapon I have.”

He is best-known, however, for his feet. Hall of Famer Bob Lanier played in size 22 sneakers. So did Shaquille O’Neal. Turner wears a size 21—which, frankly, looks even bigger than it sounds.

Turner once grew three shoe sizes, from a 14 to a 17, in two weeks. At the same time he was shooting up from 6-4 to 6-8. He is asked about this often, and he’s fine with it.

“People are curious. I think it’s a pretty cool story myself,” Turner said. “I don’t ever want to be a burden to people, come off mean, so I’m open to everybody.”

Turner has one of the more delightful personalities of any elite prospect in recent years. Opponents might catch him smiling as he blocks their shots.